Ok guys/gals I am a newbie at this car detailing stuff, but here is my situation, had a scratch on my vintage car, about 4 cm long..I did the nail test and part of it did catch...so as the info I know about it possibly won't come out with buffing, but I tried any with rubbing compound, and to no avail its still there, but now the finger nail test it doesn't catch, but still visible, can't see the underling primer clearly (base/clear), I did the buffing again but still there without having to get that area re-painted what are my other options...Thanks
Help with scratch
- Thread starter 1hotboss
- Start date
Blacktruckowner
New member
I was trying to find (how to wet sand) but I couldn't find it.
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
If you could post a pic that would he helpful. That said maybe a rotary with some light wet sanding would get in less noticeable. Is sounds like its not all going to come out but you could certainly reduce it
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
I've never heard of the SG as a filler but on clear coat sounds interesting. Any links to where you read about it?
Wool is a high temp pad and with the right polish will level very well. Being old school I learned on wool, but mainly for SS paint. I have used it on CC with much success, but your going to have to come back with a polish pad to clean up
CT3
New member
I'm not a pro at it, but the only thing I know.of before a repaint is wet sanding.
Rocket
New member
Please post a pic so we can see. I've never heard of super glue for a fix but it sounds interesting. Can you show us where you read that because I'm interested in reading up on that.
theamcguy
I like mine to shine!!!
Fixing a scratch is basic. Fill scratch with touch-up paint. Overfill the scratch with paint. Level the overfilled paint with a polishing compound. Now scratch is less noticeable. That's the basics, the art comes in applying the paint only in the scratch, rather than on the adjacent good paint. Waiting for the paint to dry and then knowing how to buff just the scratch area to get it all level again. Dr. Colorchip has a good system. Look into it.
Concours.John
Auto Detail & Restoration
Scratches can be tricky. It is important to have an idea of how much clear is on the vehicle. I am assuming it has been restored or repainted. Where the scratch is did you see kind of a whitening effect? After rubbing it did that go away? Now that it is better is there any chattering dots in the scratch? The reason I'm asking is cattering dots can mean it is almost to the basecoat. How the scratch happened is also important to know.
One thing to remember is when you level a scratch with and without sanding you are removing surrounding clear. Without sanding and with wool you are litteraly taking the edge of the scratch facing the rotation of a rotary down faster than the left or top edge (think like the letter "v"). To level the scratch you need to equalize the rotation on both sides continually changing the way of rotation hit the defect. Still this area is going to be thin in the future if it can be removed. If you are not familliar with a rotary a DA is much safer with a harder foam and not as much pressure. You will also need to document this area for future polishing or else you will see the dreaded Dull Spot.
Wet sanding may remove the spot but you may have a flat spot. Still all the above applies. You may get the scratch out but during buffing and polishing it could go through.
All this is based on not seeing it and knowing it has already been rubbed. A fill with clear if not down to base with a carefull hard block sand may be the best as stated. Duplicolor does make a clear touch up pen but needs plenty of dry time if not using standard clear with hardener. I use my halogen to warm and cure then let set for a day if temps are right. Understand that if not fully cured the polishing/buffing may remove or raise the fill.
One thing to remember is when you level a scratch with and without sanding you are removing surrounding clear. Without sanding and with wool you are litteraly taking the edge of the scratch facing the rotation of a rotary down faster than the left or top edge (think like the letter "v"). To level the scratch you need to equalize the rotation on both sides continually changing the way of rotation hit the defect. Still this area is going to be thin in the future if it can be removed. If you are not familliar with a rotary a DA is much safer with a harder foam and not as much pressure. You will also need to document this area for future polishing or else you will see the dreaded Dull Spot.
Wet sanding may remove the spot but you may have a flat spot. Still all the above applies. You may get the scratch out but during buffing and polishing it could go through.
All this is based on not seeing it and knowing it has already been rubbed. A fill with clear if not down to base with a carefull hard block sand may be the best as stated. Duplicolor does make a clear touch up pen but needs plenty of dry time if not using standard clear with hardener. I use my halogen to warm and cure then let set for a day if temps are right. Understand that if not fully cured the polishing/buffing may remove or raise the fill.
holland_patrick
New member
Pictures are needed to help you really...
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...2007-nissan-frontier-nismo-winter-detail.html
He removed a small scratch on his door, turned out pretty good
He removed a small scratch on his door, turned out pretty good
rzatch
New member
Concours John has very good information there. You don't want to go too far and end up going through the clear coat. You better off getting a clear touch up pen and go that route. Skip the super glue and use the appropriate product.
Ok..so true...I started to wet sand with 2000 grit sand paper..very carefully but not careful enough and it went through...disappointed of course but the scratch is much better...so what now?? I would need get some touch up paint I believe...its a special colour...then can someone tell me the next steps...THanks
Concours.John
Auto Detail & Restoration
Sorry to hear this. A couple of questions.... What color is it? How
close to an adjacent panel is it?
Now that it went through color will have to be sprayed in the area and blended. If the new blend does not come too close to an adjacent panel that panel can be blended and recleared by itself. You need to talk to some restoration shops or if you know a skilled painter. A typical body shop will certainly want to do multiple panels. A skilled painter if the blend does not reach an adjacent panel can fix just the panel.
Now a picture is truly necessary to help you.
Do not touch this again till you post a picture or talk to the above.
The majority of my work is restored cars with defects. I'd like to help but need basic information. There are others here also with knowledge that can find the best solution to your problem. Obviously there was not much clear left after the vehicle was sanded and buffed originally. This can happen to the best of us. To be honest a shop would have tried the same an said up front what happened was a possibility. This end result probably could not be avoided to fix it. Don't feel bad there is a solution.
rzatch
New member
That's the bad thing about sanding on factory clear coats. You never really know how much is there until it's too late.
CT3
New member
After looking at that pic, depending on how much the car is worth to you and it's condition, I would consider a repaint. Maybe someone more qualified than me will have more options for you though.
Concours.John
Auto Detail & Restoration
Based on your picture the scratch was not repairable by filling. I'm seeing how far back the clear went during your sanding. The primer showing offset from the scratch looks like you have a slight buckle or wave near it.
Was this the original paint or has it been painted?
Was this the original paint or has it been painted?
Rocket
New member
Have you thought about having someone do a spot repair? The guys who do paint chip repair and things for dealerships and car lots can do amazing work of thy are skilled. It won't be perfect but it will be less of an eye sore.
One of the lawn guys hit the bumper on the TA and cracked the paint. I had a friend who details contact one of his friends to see if he could help me out. He came out and sanded down the area and we taped off a section and he resprayed it. You can't tell it was ever damaged. Good thing for me the area had a body line that we could use to hide the tape line.
One of the lawn guys hit the bumper on the TA and cracked the paint. I had a friend who details contact one of his friends to see if he could help me out. He came out and sanded down the area and we taped off a section and he resprayed it. You can't tell it was ever damaged. Good thing for me the area had a body line that we could use to hide the tape line.